The Baseball Blog: Results of games played Thursday, May 9

The Pirates (19-5, 14-4) led 6-2 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, but back-to-back errors set the stage for a big inning for the Braves (17-7, 12-6), who strung together four consecutive hits to fuel a six-run inning that turned the tide. Drake got solid offensive performances from Eric Smith (2 for 3, RBI, stolen base) and Tyler Weeks (1 for 2, walk, HBP, home run, stolen base). Drake won the MCAL regular-season title and will open in the MCAL playoffs on Thursday at Albert Park.

Colby Morris pitched a four-hitter, finishing with a flourish by striking out the side in the seventh inning, as the Bulls (7-16, 3-15) defeated the Red-tailed Hawks (15-9, 12-6) at the College of Marin. Jeremy Bernstein had a hit and an RBI and Justin Kaull singled twice, doubled and scored to lead Branson’s offense.

Chris Menzel tied the score with a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning and Connor Johnson singled home a run in the eighth as the Hornets (14-10, 12-6) edged the Wildcats (14-10, 12-6) in Novato. Menzel, who also doubled, joined Johnson and Matt Potter in producing two-hit games for the Hornets and Logan Osborne drove in two runs. Chase Gardner pitched four shutout innings in relief for the victory.

Joey Nafius pitched a complete game, striking out five, and also had a key double as the Bulldogs (4-18, 2-16) ended their season with a victory over the Trojans (6-17-1, 5-13). Kazuma Kaneko had two hits and stole two bases and Mario Robinson had two hits, including a double, for Terra Linda. Kaneko also pitched a complete game, striking out 10.

Peter Schneider pitched a four-hitter and also had three hits and three RBIs as the Wildcats (10-10, 6-4) completed their regular season with a Bay Counties League West victory over the Blues (5-15, 3-7) at Albert Park. Milton Dimas homered and singled and Alex Herdman, and Austin Reid also had two hits in the victory. Marin Academy, which finished third in the BCL West, will face second-place Stuart Hall in the league semifinals on Wednesday in San Francisco.